Improvement in machines for cutting staves



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

CEPHAS MANNING, OF ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR CUTTING STAVES, Sac.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 1,787, dated September 14, 1840.

To all whom t nay concern:

Be it known that I, CEPHAs MANNING, of Acton, inthe county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machinery for Cutting Staves or Such other Articles as may be Successively Formed by said Machinery.

The said improvements, the principles thereof, and manner in which I have contemplated the application of the same, by which they may be distinguished from other inventions of a similar nature, together withl such parts or combinations asl claim to be my invention and consider original and new, I have herein set forth and described. The said description, taken in connect-ion with the accompanying drawings, herein referred to, forms my specification.

Figure l is a top view of my rotary stavecutter. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 4L represents a side elevation.

In Fig. l, A A A isa frame of wood, iron, or other suitable material shaped, formed, and constructed in such manner as to support the operative parts thereto attached.

B C, Fig. l, B, Fig. 2, and C, Fig. 3, is a horizontal shaft, which is supported and revolves in bearings or boxes D D, Figs. ,l and 3. Two heavycircularplates orwheelsE E, Figs. Il, 2, and 3, are placed and affixed on the shaft B C. These plates are suitably formed with a rim E on each, to which one end of each of a series of two or more cutting-knives F F of proper shape and form'is fastened by bolts having screws and nuts or in any other suitable or convenient manner. These knives should be curved longitudinally, as seen in Fig. '7, in order that the stave separatedfrom the block mayhave the requisite shape to give to the barrel formed by a certain number of the same a greaterdiameterin the center than at the ends, thus saving the usual operations of trussing and heating. A band from the driving-power passing over a pulley G on the shaft B C causes the said shaft and cutter to revolve.

The block from which the stave is to be cut is conined between suitable holders or clamps H I, Fig. l, as represented in the drawings by dotted lines. One of these holders H is stationary, while the other I is movable on a pin 0r center K. IVhen the block of wood is placed between the holders and driven hard up againstthe holder H,the holderl is turned around on the pin K until its end is brought with sufficient force against the end ot' the block, which, being accomplished, it is secured in this position by the dog L, formed as seen in Figs. l and 4. It will be seen that this dog has teeth or notches formed on its end in contiguity with the handle of the holder I, and that the other end of the dog is attached to the moving frame M M by a pin or screw N, on which it turns freely up or down. Now when the block of wood is placed between the holders and they are properly pressed against the ends of the same the dog L will fall in such position that its teeth or notches will rest against the handle of the holder I, and thus confine said holder or cause the same to retain its grasp of the block of wood. The ends ct b of the holders in contact with the block should be of metal and formed with suitable teeth, as seen in Fig. 4,which, when the holders are pressed against the ends of the block, will enter into the same, and thereby more effectually coniine it between the holders and prevent it from slipping or changing its position during the operations of the cutters.

The carriage M M is moved forward at regular intervals of time by means of a horizontal shaftOP. (RepresentedbydottedlinesinFig. 1 and in Fig. 2 in vsection at O.) A band c, Fig. 3, passing over a pulley d on the shaft B C and a pulley c on another shaft f g, (seen by dotted lines in Fig. l and denoted by f in Fig. 2,) gives motion to or revolves the shaft fg. From the shaft f g motion is communicated to the shaft O P by means of a crossband h, which passes over over a pulley z' on the shaft f g and a pulley 7c on one end of the shaft O P. Each side of the carriage M hasa rack lm, attached underneath the same. (Represented by red dotted lines at Z min Fig. 1 and more particularly exhibited at l m, Fig. 2.) There are two pinions n, Fig. 2, on the shaft O P, each of which is placed directly Linder one of the racks Z m. The number of teeth of these pinions and the spaces between them are regulated according to circumstances. In general I prefer two-viz., o pon opposite sides of the circumference of each pinion, so that each revolution vof the pinion will operate on two of the teeth of the rackl m. Thus it will he seen that when the tooth o engages with the teeth of the rack lm it pushes the carriage forward a distance equal to the thickness of the stave to be cut from the block. One of the knives then performs its office, and bythe time it has passed e11- tirely through the block the opposite tooth p of the pinion n is brought round to engage with the teeth of the rack lm, and in its turn operates on the same and moves the carriage M forward a distance equal to the thickness of the stave. So on in succession the carriage M alternately moves forward and stops at regular intervals of time until the block of wood is entirel cut up into staves or the pinions n have operated on all the teeth of the racks Zon. v

In order to draw back the carriage M for the purpose of -placing another block of Wood between the holders, it is only necessary to press downwardly a lever r s, Figs. l and 3, (and seen by r in Fig. 4,) and the shaft O P will be moved sidewise in its bearings a sufcent distance to throw the teeth 0 p of the pinions n out of gear with the rackslm. The inside of the lever 'r s, or that side in contignitywith the frame A, is beveled or chan1 fered, as shown at t u, Fig. 4, against which the end of the shaft O P abuts, so that by pressing down the lever r s the beveled or inclined part of the lever 7' s will press or push the shaft O P sidewise` in its bearings, thus throwing the teeth of the pinions nout of gear with those of the racks Z m. Then by placing the hand on the center of the carriage or any other convenient part of the same it is easily drawn back the required distance. On lifting the lever r s a spring n w, Figs. l and 4, acting on the opposite end of the shaft O P, will press the shaft into its original position and engage the teeth of the pinions and rack.

Having thus described my improved machinery for cutting staves, I now proceed to point ont such parts thereof I claim to be my invention.

The arrangement of knives attached to the revolving shaft, in combination with the arrangement of machinery for moving forward the carriage as the staves are cutin the manner described.

In testimony that the above is a true description of my said invention I have hereto aixed my signature this 19th day of May, 1840.

@EPI-IAS MANNING.

lVitnesses:

R. H. EDDY, J. WRIGHT WARREN, Jr. 

